Subject: Identify a bug
Location: Princes Risborough, Herts
July 9, 2017 9:20 am
Can you help please?
I was wild camping in a wood near Princes Risborough, Hertfordshire last night and this beast fell out of a tree onto my mate’s arm.
Do you know what it is?
Incase this isn’t clear from the pics, this is his wrist, so the bug was about 6cm long. It seemed to rear up??
Many thanks
Signature: Ben Marwood
Dear Ben,
Though it looks nothing like a typical Caterpillar, this Lobster Caterpillar is actually the immature form of a Moth in the family Notodontidae. According to UK Moths: “This unassuming species gets its English name not from the adult moth, but from the remarkable crustacean-like appearance of the caterpillar.”
Dear Daniel,
Thankyou so much for your reply. Was it unusual to find in the UK/Princes Risborough? I’ve Googled and seen a Japanese one that looks very similar
Best regards
Ben
Dear Ben,
The Lobster Caterpillar ranges throughout Eurasia, from England to Japan. There are several British sites that include the Lobster Moth Caterpillar, including UK Safari.
The Lobster Caterpillar ranges throughout Eurasia, from England to Japan. There are several British sites that include the Lobster Moth Caterpillar, including UK Safari.